Key-retaining device



Patented Mar. 19,1929. ,7

WILLIAM E, HEATH, or WASHINGTOBLDISTRICT oroonn ymra.

KEY-RETAINING DEVICE.

Application filed February 2a, 1923. Serial No. 257,758.

This invention relates to devices for engaging a door key so that it cannot'be re moved from the lock, by operating with any instrument inserted through the key-hole from the outside of the door.

The object'of this invention is to provide a device'which maybe readily slipped over the door-knob and inserted through the usual aperture in the handle of the key and which will be sufficiently rigid to prevent bending or yieldingif an attempt is made to turn the key from the outside; and to so construct the key retaining device that it may be readily disengaged fromthe key and either allowed to remain suspended from the knob or be removed during the daytime. A further purpose is to provide a device of this character which will be attractive in appearance. I

In the following detail description, I shall refer to the. accompanying drawings in which t Figure 1 is a plan view of a key retaining. device embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation of a door showing my device suspended from a door-knob but disengaged from the keyg Figure 3 is a side elevation on the line 33 of Figure 2; Figures 1 and 5 are front elevations of the lock shown in Figure 2, showing the key-retain- I ing device in inoperative position and in operative position, respectively. I

In the locks commonly used, a key can be inserted from either side of the door. If a key is inserted in the keyhole from the inside of the door, it can be pushed out of the lock by inserting something through the key-hole from the outside. A skilful' manipulator may even unlock a door withthe very key left in the lock by manipulating it from'the outside with the proper tool. I am able to absolutely prevent such manipulation by means of the key-retaining device disclosed 'herein.'

I prefer to make this key-retainer or securing device of rather heavy wire bent into the configuration shown in Fig. 1. The downwardly extending closed U-shaped shank portion 10, is adapted to be inserted into the opening or aperture 12 in the handle 14 of the ordinary door key, as'shown in Figure 5. The end portions of the wire are bent and curved toward each other until they abut at the point 15 and are then continued in a compound curve which touches the in;

ner edges of the side membersll6, at 17 and at the ends of the wires at: 18. I The recess 20-thus formed is'substantially circular,

closed at the top and open at the bottom and isligiitly larger than 'thestem 21 of the door (no forced by the inwardly and downwardly 'Tlie'upper portion of the retainer is reinreturned end portions 22 and-these-portionsg I are themselves greatly stiffenechby their curvilinear form. The side portions 16 are made long enough to provide an opening or enclosure 2 1-1betvveen the ends 18 and the shank portion 10, which will receive the stem 21 of the door knob during one step in the operation of securing or releasing the key.

The operation of securing the key in the lock Will be evident from the previous description. of the construction. The side .lTlGlllbBl'S 16 are first sprung slightly apart so that the open'upper end may be slipped over the stem of the door knob ipto the position shown in Figure 2. This is theusual daytime or released position of the retainer in which it may hang for convenience on the knob, the door-key being free. The retainer is then pushed upwardly, the armsor side members 16 yielding outwardly until the throat 25 opens sufliciently to permit the stem 21 of the knob to pass into the opening 24. The retainer is then swung into a vertical position with the lower closed end of the yoke 10 in alineinent with the aperture of the key after it has thrown the bolt of the lock and the handle lat-is in horizontal; position, as shown in Figure 4C. The retainer is now pushed downwardly, the shank portion 10 .passingdown through the key handle, the sidemembers 16 first spreading 9 outwardly to allow the stem 21 to passthrough the aperture in the key 18 very strong and rigid, the two wires co-acting and being firmly united by the short turn at the lower closed end. The knob engaging and supporting portion is exceedinglyrigid, each sidevmember being reinforced by, the downwardly extending reversely curved parts which are also braced at a plurality of points against the. inner edges of the main side Wires. The key is therefore securely held in locked positionwithin the look.

I claim:

a 1. A key retainingdevice,-"co1nprising Wire bent back upon itself to formthe, parallel sides of an elongated shank having a;

closed end adapted tov extend throughv the aperture in the handle ofa key, and a supporting portion-haying parallel sides spaced apart andzend portions. bent toward each other and curved: baekwardlyithin the spaeerbetween said parallel sides and curved tofit around the stem of a door-knob.

2. In akey retaining device as set forth? closed end adapted to extend through the aperture in the handle of akeyfand a supporting portion having parallel sides spaced apart and end portions benttoward'each other and extending in-reyersecurves withi in the space between said parallel sides.

4'. A key retaining device, comprising a Wireben-t back upon itself to form the parallel sides of an elongated shank having a closed endadapted to extend; through the aperture inthe handle of a key, and a supporting portionhavin-g parallel sides spaced apart and end portions bentback into the space Within said: supporting portion and curved to form a substantially circular Configuration adapted to receive the stem ofa.

door knob. 1,

testimony whereof I afiix my signature;

WILLIAM EL. HEATH. 

